Flare or fusee



Nov. 27, 1945. s. JACKSON, JR

FLARE OR FUSEE Filed Sept. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l IIIIIIIIIIIII! ill!!- INVENTOR: Samzze/Jaci'soqfi,

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 27, 1945. s. JACKSON, JR

FLARE OE FUSEE Filed Sept. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wyn w m m SamueiJadswzle,

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 27, 1945 UNTTED STATES PATENT QFFICE FLARE OE FUSEE Samuel Jackson, Jr.; Haddonfield; N. J.

Application September 26, 1944, Serial No. 555,791

16 Claims.

This invention relates to flares or fusees useful in emergencies for service as visible warning or danger signals in the event of accidents incident to operation of railway trains, buses, trucks, etc.

Devices of this sort as heretofore ordinarily constructed were easily damaged or broken notwithstanding the exercise of reasonable care in ordinary handling, and in. being cast away or set up after ignition; ofttimes difficult to ignite; subject to deterioration from moisture; and liable moreover to cause injuries unless extreme caution was observed on the part of the users in setting them oil.

The chief aim of my invention is to provide a flare or fusee which is simple in construction, yet free of the various drawbacks mentioned above, and which lends itself to very economic production in quantity from relatively inexpensive materials.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a fusee conveniently embodying my invention in one form.

Fig. 2 is a view of the fusee partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the fusee taken as indicated by the angled arrows IIIIII in Fig, 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view on a larger scale taken as indicated by the angled arrows IV--IV in Fig. 2.

Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of certain component parts of the fusee which will be later on particularly referred to. V

Fig. '7 is a perspective View of a fusee like that of Fig. 1 slightly modified.

Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 1 showing an alternative form of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of the fusee shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows XX in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the component parts of the fusee shown in Figs. 8-10.

Referring first more particularly to Figs. 16 of these illustrations, the fusee there shown has a body I5 which is pres-molded or otherwise fashioned to elongate cylindric configuration from a slow combustible composition capable of emitting colored-light in burning, and which has its upper and lower ends well rounded to avoid sharp corner edges likely to be broken incident to handling of the fusee. As shown the fusee may be provided with a pendent spike point I6 part of which is imbedded in the material of the body I5 and provided with anchorage spurs I! for greater security against subsequent dislodgment. Somewhat below its upper end the body I5 of the fusee has a transverse or diametral opening I8 of relatively small diameter in communication with a longitudinal or axial opening I 9 which extends to said top end where it terminates in a diametrically enlarged recess 20. Incident to manufacture, the fusee is dipped into or coated with a molten solution of a suitable plastic such for example as cellulose acetate to provide th body with a relatively tough, tenacious, moisture-irapervious outer protective skin 2|, said plastic having a fusing or burning characteristic corresponding to that of the material of said body. As a result of this dipping, the openings I8 and I9 are lined as at 22 and 23 with the plastic. Disposed within the axial opening I9 is a fuse 25 with match-heads 26 and 2'! at its opposite ends, the latter head being exposed within the transverse opening I8; and surrounding the upper end of said fuse is a collar of rapid-burning composition 28 which is firmly packed into the enlargement or recess 20 so as to be in direct contact with the material of the fusee body. From Figs. 2 and 3 it will be observed that a longitudinally-slotted bushing 29 (illustrated in perspective in Fig. 6)

. is inserted into the transverse opening I8 from one side of the body, said bushing being positioned with its slot uppermost and with the match-head 21 of the fuse 25 projecting thereinto. The starter element for the fusee is generally designated by the numeral 3| and as shown in Fig. 5 is formed from fabric tape, one end thereof being retroverted as at 32 to serve as a grasp tab, and the other end reduced in width as at 33, the tip portion of the latter end being impregnated or coated as at 35 with a material which by friction with a composition 30 at the inside of the bushing 29 and with the match-head 21 will cause ignition of the fuse 25 in a manner later on explained. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the narrow portion 33 of the starter tape 3| is passed through the transverse opening I8 from the right of the fusee body as considered in Fig. 2, and its impregnated end 35 laid upwardly into a recess 3'! formed centrally of a groove 38 which extends continuously across the top end and down along the opposite sides of the body I5 to meet with the opposite ends of said opening. The remaining or wide portion of the starter tape 3| is passed upward in the groove 38 from the righthand end of the opening I8 in Fig. 1, then across the top of the body I5 and down the opposite side of the latter to overlap the narrow portion 33 of said tape. Secured to the inner face of the starter element 3| midway between its ends is a guard cap 39 which may be of metal and which, with the starter positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, overlies the match-head 26 of the fuse so as to normally protect it against injury. In this instance, the starter 3| is held in assembly by an adhesive band which may be of paper or the like with the retroverted end portion 32 projecting belowu said-band so that the latter may be readily grasped; In order to assist inretainment of the starter tape 3| normally and to protect the exposed portion thereof, the upper end of the fusee may, after complete assembling, be coated with additional plastic, or as an alternative,- the band lfl may be dispensed with entirely. and-theadditional plastic coating alone relied upon, as

shown in Fig. 7 at 4| to retainand protectthe. If desired or found convenienthin-v starter tape. practice a staple or the like such as indicated" at 42;-in:F5igs;: Land 2-- maybe used as a securing; meansa eithenbyitself or-in. addition; to the tape: 407.2

'Iihevmethodof: using: the: fusee is. as. f ollows-t. the tabn321:of thestarterti isugraspedand the latter unwrapped :from'over: th-e:top end ofzthei fusee by. anzupwardend downwardswingzofthe. hand, the: band-14.0; and/or the additional protective coat-- ingjj fl'; as-+the-case-may;be,1 incidentally yielding toibeingsrupturedor torn away, and the; protec tive; disk: at the; sametime removed. from; overv theiupper; match-head 261 ofthe fuse'2'5; By a final; pull. on the; tape, the. narrow portion; 3.3 thereof 1 is; withdrawn from; the transverse open.-

ing I82 with-:the results thatthematerial attain its end by a-brasior-iwith thematerialtil. on. the: bushing. 28:5 and. the matchrhead i 2 1-,: causes-igniti'omof {the timeefuse 2-5;v The fusee is then placed whereitista serve as a.- visible'danger: signal; as:

bit-thrusting its-spike endit, into any suitable 1 supportingmeanss or material. Sufficient time .is. allowedfor: this by. reason of the length. of the fuse'2 5wbefore the, rapid-. burning material at 28: is-setroff to, ignite the material. of. the body; a-tithez upper: end ofthelatter: As the materialof: the body; burnsdown; the-coating. 2.1-, ,by, reason; of having; the characteristics above. pointedrout, is either 'COHSIHElBd:OI-"mE LtS away at acorrespond-- ing rater.

In the-modified embodiment of I' my; invention shown in.-Figs.. 8; 9'and-'10,- the: projecting; portions of thestarter tape-31 arewrapped' about" the-body. I-EcpfIthe-fusee, itibeingflaidyinaa shal-- low-l circumferential groove 43 in said body: After assembling of the-modifiedfusee,the-up;- per; end: thereof: is dipped: into. molten; plastic and given a. second coati tla ibM-Wh-ich -the starteli tape.- is held in; place; in; the groove 43a its projecting grasp-tab 32-.afree. additionalcoating: i i a in, Figs; 8V and": 9; also serves; in this case as; the-means for, retaining, the protective disie 39a oven; the upper match-head-zfiwofthe fusee-2Em. Inailother respects the-fuseelotFigs; 8.-l-0'-,-isa exactly, like; that, illustrated in-Figsr 1-6, and 'l 'a nd for; thisreason all other component elements-thereof not. specifically referred: to but having; their. counterparts in-therprev-iously de.-' scribed embodiments are-identifiedwiththe same DILLK-ITEIISFQXC8LQTSZ for: addition in each. instance-of the letter a for, convenience-of. ready distinction- In; each Of; the illustrated=,. embodiments the plastic coating constitutes a. tough. tenaciousmoistureeimpervious outer protective-shin which not; only-.- prevents. disintegration of the: material of. the-fusee. body; upon:- impact, with. other-ob jects incident to handling of the fusee, but also excludes moisture thereby precluding deterioration of said material as well as of the other internal parts. A further advantage resides in the provision of the guard cap over the upper matchhead of the fuse which latter is thus protected against injury by end contact of the fusee with other fusees, or the spike points of such other fusees in case they are shifted or tumbled about in. kits of the. type ordinarily employedfor carriage purposes.

Ignition is made positive by reason of the novel construction of the starter element and the way in which the match material thereon coacts with the coating on the inner surface of the bushing in. the. transverse opening and with the lower match-head of the fuse as said element is with.-

'dravm; In the event that the starter tape 3| should. tear off before its end portion 35 is removed and thus fail to start the fusee, the then exposed. upper matchrhead 26. maybe ignited by friction with a suitable extraneous. surface. or object-in the manner of: ordinary fusees.

From-the foregoing: it will therefore beapparentlthatmy improved fusee is not only simple in construction and reliable in operation but cap a.-- ble of economicproductionin quantity at. relay tivelysmall cost,

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1'. A 'flare or" fusee having an elongate body formcdufrom compacted combustible slow-burn i-ng colored-flame. producing material with a transverse opening near one end thereof; and. a:- longitudinal opening extending from said :end and meeting the-transverse opening; a fuse within the-7 longitudinal opening having a; match-head exposedin the transverse'opening; a starter: elementwithin the transverse opening carrying material adapted to cause ignition of the matchheadon the' fuse by abrasion-therewith, said'elemerit having a projecting grasp by which-itcan be withdrawn to set off said-fuse 2; A flare or fusee-according to claim 1, wherein the: fuse also has;amatch-headat its. outer? end, which: canbe i nited. by abrasion with. an extraneous object; inrthe event of failure;- ofthe starter element.

3;: A flare: or fuseeaccording to claim I, I

the transverse and longitudinal-.- openings have aprotective lining ofslow-burning material; and in which the fuse is surrounded adjacent itsqoutcr endby col-lar of rapideburninggcomposi-tiongin intimate contact: with thecombustible material of the body.

l: Afiare-or fusee according to.c1-aim,-l,.wherein the longitudinal openingtisz circumferentially enlarged at its outer'end'; and w-l'lerein: the enlargement is packed with a rapid-burning compo-- sition which surrounds the:corresp,ond-ing end :of the fuse and whichxis in' intimate. contact-withithe material of thefusee' body-.

5:. A flare' or fusee-accordingto claimzl, Where inthe surface of. the. transverse opening; is lined with: igniting material which, by, frictioni with that ontthestarter, aidsin thefiringof the-fusec 6:.- Arfiare or fusee. accordingtoz claim 1',- wherein the, starter comprises" a; length of, flexible strip material. whereof one endv is lcdgedin the transverse; opening; and carries. the; igniting material, the remainder; of the -starter strip being zwrapped about the fusee 1 body; and rel-easably secured thereto; 1

7. A-fiare-orifusee accordingto claim. 1:, wherein the starter comprises; a, length; of.v flexible strip materialiwhereof one end is-lodged =in-.the-:transverse opening and carries the igniting material; and wherein the remainder of the starter strip is wrapped over the end. of the fusee body to overlie and cover the outer end of the fuse.

8. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse Opening and carries the igniting material; wherein the remainder of the starter strip is wrapped over the end of the fusee body to overlie and cover the outer end of the fuse; and wherein the fusee body has a groove which extends along opposite sides of the body and across the end thereof for reception of the starter tape.

9. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse opening and carries the igniting material;

wherein the remainder of the starter strip is wrapped over the end of the fusee body to overlie and cover the outer end of the fuse; and wherein the starter tape is removably retained by a skin of tough tenacious moisture-impervious protective material applied thereover.

10. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse opening and carries the igniting material; and wherein the remainder of the strip is wrapped around the body of the fusee.

11. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse opening and carries the igniting material; wherein the remainder of the strip is wrapped around the body of the fusee; and wherein the fusee body has a circumferential groove for reception of the starter tape. 1

12. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse opening and carries the igniting material; wherein the remainder of the strip is wrapped around the body of th fusee; and wherein the starter tape is removably retained by a skin of tough tenacious moisture-impervious material applied thereover.

13. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse opening and carries the igniting material; wherein the remainder of the starter strip is wrapped over the end of the fusee body to overlie and cover the outer end of the fuse; and wherein a detachable guard cap of rigid material is interposed between the starter tape and the outer end of the fuse.

14. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse opening and carries the igniting material; wherein the remainder of the strip is wrapped around the body of the fusee; wherein the starter tape is removably retained by a skin of tough tenacious moisture-impervious material applied thereover; and wherein a detachable guard cap of rigid material is held in place over the outer end of the fuse by said protective skin.

15. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the body is provided with an adherent protective skin of tough tenacious moisture-impervious material which fuses or burns substantially at the rate of combustion of the material of said body.

16. A flare or fusee according to claim 1, wherein the starter comprises a length of flexible strip material whereof one end is lodged in the transverse opening and earires the igniting material, the remainder of the starter strip being wrapped about the fusee body and releasably secured thereto; wherein the body is provided with an adherent protective skin of tough tenacious moisture-impervious material which fuses or burns substantially at the rate of combustion of the material of said body; and wherein an additional skin of like material covers the exposed portion of the starter tape.

SAMUEL JACKSON, JR, 

